Steam distillation of catmint plants

1. A process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria comprising:

(a) contacting Nepeta cataria plant material with steam to form a volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water;

(b) condensing the volatilized mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid mixture comprising catmint oil and water in which catmint oil is dissolved in water;

(c) contacting the liquid mixture formed in step (b) with a salt, selected from the group consisting of sulfate, nitrate and phosphate salts of the elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, to provide a mixture in which catmint oil and salt are both dissolved in water, and in which

(i) the solubility of catmint oil in the solution of water and salt is at least about 50% less than the solubility of catmint oil in water, and/or

(ii) the ratio [(ρ catmint oil -ρ aqueous solution )/μ aqueous solution ], where ρ is density, μ is viscosity and the aqueous solution is the solution of water and salt, is less than or equal to about −0.05,

to provide in the mixture a catmint oil phase that is separated from an aqueous salt solution phase; and

(d) recovering the catmint oil phase from the mixture to provide a separated catmint oil phase and a remaining aqueous salt solution phase.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the solubility of catmint oil in the solution of water and salt is at least about 50% less than the solubility of catmint oil in water.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the ratio [(ρ catmint oil -ρ aqueous solution )/μ aqueous solution ], where ρ is density, μ is viscosity and the aqueous solution is the solution of water and salt, is less than or equal to about −0.05.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein (i) the solubility of catmint oil in the solution of water and salt is at least about 50% less than the solubility of catmint oil in water, and (ii) the ratio [(ρ catmint oil -ρ aqueous solution )/μ aqueous solution ], where ρ is density, μ is viscosity and the aqueous solution is the solution of water and salt, is less than or equal to about −0.05.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the sulfate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the nitrate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the phosphate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

8. A process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria comprising:

(a) contacting Nepeta cataria plant material with steam in a direct fired retort to form a volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water;

(b) condensing the volatilized mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid mixture comprising catmint oil and water;

(c) contacting the liquid mixture formed in step (b) with a salt selected from the group consisting of the sulfate, nitrate and phosphate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements;

(d) separating the liquid mixture into a catmint oil phase and a water salt-containing phase;

(e) recycling the water phase back to the direct fired retort of step (a); and

(f) recovering the catmint oil phase.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the nitrate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

10. The process of claim 8 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the sulfate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

11. The process of claim 8 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the phosphate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

12. A process for obtaining catmint oil from Nepeta cataria comprising:

(a) contacting Nepeta cataria plant material with steam in a direct fired retort under vacuum to form a volatilized mixture comprising catmint oil and water;

(b) condensing the volatilized mixture formed in step (a) to form a liquid mixture comprising catmint oil and water;

(c) contacting the liquid mixture formed in step (b) with a salt selected from the group consisting of the sulfate, nitrate and phosphate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements;

(d) separating the liquid mixture into a catmint oil phase and a water salt-containing phase; and

(e) recovering the catmint oil phase from the mixture to provide the separated catmint oil phase and a remaining water phase.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein plant material is contacted with steam under an absolute pressure of about 13 kPa to about 70 kPa.

14. The process of claim 12 wherein plant material is contacted with steam under an absolute pressure of about 20 kPa to about 45 kPa.

15. The process of claim 12 further comprising a step of recycling the water phase back to the direct fired retort of step (a).

16. The process of claim 12 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the nitrate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

17. The process of claim 12 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the sulfate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

18. The process of claim 12 wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of the phosphate salts of elements of Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.